Police deny Njobe death threat reports

THE family of slain Raymond Mhlaba municipal council speaker Thozama Njobe believe that had police taken seriously reports that her life was under threat, she would still be alive.

ANC provincial spokesman Oscar Mabuyane dropped a bombshell on Tuesday when he said Njobe had told the party that her would-be killer had allegedly confessed to her instead of carrying out the hit.

This, he said, was two weeks before she was gunned down in Fort Beaufort on Monday night. Njobe had allegedly reported the matter to the police.

But the police said no report had been made.

The 46-year-old mother of three was shot six times by a lone gunman.

Yesterday, family spokeswoman Nomphelo Cata said while they were not aware of Njobe’s life being in danger, they shared the same sentiments as Mabuyane.

“From the statement made by the ANC provincial secretary, we really feel that the police did nothing. Two weeks was long enough to investigate and prevent the assassination.

“The criminal justice system failed us and Thozama,” she said. has

“She never mentioned anything to us about her life being in danger. Probably she was trying to protect us.”

On Tuesday, Mabuyane said instead of calling Njobe back to track down the suspects, which Njobe had allegedly reported to the police, the cops chose to do nothing.

“The police did not call her and do a follow-up.”

But yesterday the Eastern Cape police denied a case had been opened at any police station about the alleged hit.

Provincial police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci said: “SAPS have no record of any criminal case opened by the late Ms Njobe.

“The provincial commissioner was shocked by the murder of Ms Njobe and a special task team consisting of seasoned detectives has been established to investigate the murder.”

Njobe will be laid to rest on Saturday July 29 in Fort Beaufort.

She is survived by her three children aged 28, 16 and 10.

Njobe, an ANC Amathole regional executive committee member, led the ANC faction that defied the regional structure when it instructed the ANC caucus to hire a new municipal manager in Raymond Mhlaba. —